Government is taking center stage at the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention.<\/p>\n
The annual convention hosted by the statewide Native organization<\/a> starts Thursday in Fairbanks with the theme, “Good Government, Alaska Driven.”<\/p>\n “Good governance means there’s a platform for everyone to have a voice,” said Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson, President of the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, in an interview. <\/p>\n Peterson, who is among the people from Southeast Alaska who made the trip for the conference, said an example of that came this past year when public engagement seemed to have a demonstrable effect on Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed budget cuts.<\/p>\n “We all encourage people to be informed and engaged and involved, and it worked,” Peterson said. “I think that’s why you saw a rollback on some of the cuts. “<\/p>\n He said Southeast attendance tends to dip slightly in years the convention, which runs through Saturday, is held in Fairbanks, but he hopes people will stay informed of what’s discussed.<\/p>\n The agenda includes many prominent politicians such as Dunleavy; U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan; U.S. Rep. Don Young; U.S. Attorney General William Barr, Alaska Rep. Bryce Edgmon; Sen. Cathy Giessel; Sen. Lyman Hoffman.<\/p>\n “You have to keep up on issues, you have to be involved, and most importantly we have to get out and vote,” Peterson said.<\/p>\n [Juneauite turns the page with a new book<\/a>]<\/ins><\/p>\n Jeff Silverman, communications director for AFN, said the convention’s theme and an agenda that includes discussion of the state’s finances and public safety was specifically made with the interests of both Native and non-Native Alaska residents.<\/p>\n “We’re really thinking there’s parts to the agenda that every Alaskan will find interesting,” Silverman said.<\/p>\n Those who aren’t in attendance will be able to watch the day’s events through a livestream through nativefederation.org<\/a>. Silverman said people talking about the event on social media are encouraged to use #goodgovernment, #alaskandriven and #2019AFN.<\/p>\n In addition to the elected officials and policy talk, the AFN Convention will feature dance performances, arts displays, consideration of resolutions <\/a>and remarks from Native corporation leaders.<\/p>\n Sealaska Heritage Institute President Rosita Worl, who the inspiration for this year’s convention graphic, is scheduled to share her thoughts on leadership at 3:30 p.m. Friday.<\/p>\n